“They Knew Something Was Different About Me, They Date Raped Me”: A Pilot Study on the Sexual Victimization Experiences of Adolescents and Young Adults with Differences of Sex Development/Intersex Variations
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) communities experience an increased risk for sexual victimization. Because these rates are reported in aggregate, little is known about the unique experiences of sexual violence among individuals with differences of sex development/intersex variations (DSD/I). The pu...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| author | Briahna Yuodsnukis Adam Davies Navy C. Spiecker Jaclyn L. Papadakis Katharine B. Dalke Diane Chen Tim C. van de Grift |
| author_facet | Briahna Yuodsnukis Adam Davies Navy C. Spiecker Jaclyn L. Papadakis Katharine B. Dalke Diane Chen Tim C. van de Grift |
| author_sort | Briahna Yuodsnukis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Sexual and gender minority (SGM) communities experience an increased risk for sexual victimization. Because these rates are reported in aggregate, little is known about the unique experiences of sexual violence among individuals with differences of sex development/intersex variations (DSD/I). The purpose of this study is to describe the experiences of sexual victimization in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with DSD/I as part of a larger qualitative study exploring experiences of minority stress, stigma, and resilience. Participants were recruited through multidisciplinary care clinics and DSD/I support groups in the United States and the Netherlands. Data on sexual experiences and sexual health were analyzed thematically, with a specific focus on reports of sexual victimization. Of the 20 participants, 25% reported experiences of sexual violence. Experiences were reported across gender identities and DSD/I diagnoses. Participants described experiences as (a) resulting from DSD/I, (b) exacerbated by DSD/I, or (c) healthcare practices experienced as sexual violence. Medicalization, early loss of (bodily) autonomy, and cisgender heteronormative reproductive societal norms were reported as possible factors associated with sexual victimization experiences. The sexual victimization of individuals with DSD/I appears prevalent and associated with specific risk factors and, therefore, deserves clinical and scientific attention. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ad1ddbae841d4bf99c6f86ef57f5c824 |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 2411-5118 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Sexes |
| spelling | doaj-art-ad1ddbae841d4bf99c6f86ef57f5c8242025-06-25T14:26:00ZengMDPI AGSexes2411-51182025-03-01621410.3390/sexes6020014“They Knew Something Was Different About Me, They Date Raped Me”: A Pilot Study on the Sexual Victimization Experiences of Adolescents and Young Adults with Differences of Sex Development/Intersex VariationsBriahna Yuodsnukis0Adam Davies1Navy C. Spiecker2Jaclyn L. Papadakis3Katharine B. Dalke4Diane Chen5Tim C. van de Grift6Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USAPritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USAPotocsnak Family Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USAPritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USADepartment of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USAPritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USADepartment of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Center (Location VUmc), 1081 HV Amsterdam, The NetherlandsSexual and gender minority (SGM) communities experience an increased risk for sexual victimization. Because these rates are reported in aggregate, little is known about the unique experiences of sexual violence among individuals with differences of sex development/intersex variations (DSD/I). The purpose of this study is to describe the experiences of sexual victimization in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with DSD/I as part of a larger qualitative study exploring experiences of minority stress, stigma, and resilience. Participants were recruited through multidisciplinary care clinics and DSD/I support groups in the United States and the Netherlands. Data on sexual experiences and sexual health were analyzed thematically, with a specific focus on reports of sexual victimization. Of the 20 participants, 25% reported experiences of sexual violence. Experiences were reported across gender identities and DSD/I diagnoses. Participants described experiences as (a) resulting from DSD/I, (b) exacerbated by DSD/I, or (c) healthcare practices experienced as sexual violence. Medicalization, early loss of (bodily) autonomy, and cisgender heteronormative reproductive societal norms were reported as possible factors associated with sexual victimization experiences. The sexual victimization of individuals with DSD/I appears prevalent and associated with specific risk factors and, therefore, deserves clinical and scientific attention.https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5118/6/2/14intersexsexual healthtraumaminority stresssexual victimizationsexual violence |
| spellingShingle | Briahna Yuodsnukis Adam Davies Navy C. Spiecker Jaclyn L. Papadakis Katharine B. Dalke Diane Chen Tim C. van de Grift “They Knew Something Was Different About Me, They Date Raped Me”: A Pilot Study on the Sexual Victimization Experiences of Adolescents and Young Adults with Differences of Sex Development/Intersex Variations Sexes intersex sexual health trauma minority stress sexual victimization sexual violence |
| title | “They Knew Something Was Different About Me, They Date Raped Me”: A Pilot Study on the Sexual Victimization Experiences of Adolescents and Young Adults with Differences of Sex Development/Intersex Variations |
| title_full | “They Knew Something Was Different About Me, They Date Raped Me”: A Pilot Study on the Sexual Victimization Experiences of Adolescents and Young Adults with Differences of Sex Development/Intersex Variations |
| title_fullStr | “They Knew Something Was Different About Me, They Date Raped Me”: A Pilot Study on the Sexual Victimization Experiences of Adolescents and Young Adults with Differences of Sex Development/Intersex Variations |
| title_full_unstemmed | “They Knew Something Was Different About Me, They Date Raped Me”: A Pilot Study on the Sexual Victimization Experiences of Adolescents and Young Adults with Differences of Sex Development/Intersex Variations |
| title_short | “They Knew Something Was Different About Me, They Date Raped Me”: A Pilot Study on the Sexual Victimization Experiences of Adolescents and Young Adults with Differences of Sex Development/Intersex Variations |
| title_sort | they knew something was different about me they date raped me a pilot study on the sexual victimization experiences of adolescents and young adults with differences of sex development intersex variations |
| topic | intersex sexual health trauma minority stress sexual victimization sexual violence |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5118/6/2/14 |
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